Matter
Anything that takes up space and has mass.
Substance
A form of matter with a fixed composition, where all particles are identical.
Element
The simplest form of matter, listed on the Periodic Table, from which more complex substances are made.
Monatomic Element
An element that exists as individual atoms, such as Helium, Argon, and Neon.
Diatomic Element
An element that exists as two atoms bonded together, such as Oxygen (O2), Nitrogen (N2), and Hydrogen (H2).
Compound
A substance formed from two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed proportion, with different properties from the elements that comprise it.
Examples of Compounds
H2O (water), NaCl (table salt), C6H12O6 (sugar).
Mixture
A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded.
Homogeneous Mixture
A mixture that has a uniform composition throughout, such as saltwater.
Heterogeneous Mixture
A mixture where the components can be easily distinguished, such as sand and iron filings.
Solution
A homogeneous mixture where one substance is dissolved in another, like sugar in water.
Solvent
The substance that dissolves a solute in a solution, often present in greater amount, like water in saltwater.
Solute
The substance that is dissolved in a solution, like salt in saltwater.
Physical Change
A change in a substance that does not alter its chemical composition, such as melting or freezing.
Chemical Change
A change that results in the formation of new chemical substances, like rusting iron.
Pure Substance
A material that has a constant composition and properties throughout, such as distilled water.
Density
The mass per unit volume of a substance, often expressed in g/cm³ or kg/m³.